Denver Restaurant Revenues Lead Banner Colorado Year

Colorado restaurants last year topped more than $10 billion in sales, according to the latest state reports. It’s the biggest year ever.

Denver leads the pack with nearly double the restaurant sales of the next closest county, with sales growing 11 percent last year. Adams, Larimer and Weld counties also reported double-digit growth.

It’s good news for the restaurant industry. But that growth has made it difficult to find good workers – especially in the front of house. And industry groups say more sales don’t necessarily mean more profit. Costs have shot up in the last few years, in particular for meat.